A hospice needs £200,000 to run a specialised training lab for people who want to care for a loved one nearing the end of their life.

St Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham says it wants to make caring at home less stressful by teaching people the required skills.

The programme would run from the new education building in Sydenham, which is in its final stages.

Liz Bryan, director of education and training at the hospice, said: “When we care for someone, we see them as an individual but also that they belong to social networks such as friends, family and community groups, who often want to play their part in looking after someone at the end of life but don’t always know how.

“Our new skills lab will give local people the confidence that they can provide straight-forward care for their loved ones. We will focus on sharing skills such as how to wash and feed someone safely, and how to recognise and manage common symptoms at home.

"This means that with our support, many more dying people can choose to remain at home, where they feel comfortable and safe, for as long as possible. It’s all about living life well, even at the end of life.”

Nearly 6,500 people in south-east London benefit from the hospice every year.

To help St Christopher’s support carers you can text the word HOSPICE to 70500 to donate £5 or alternatively you can visit the website.